Kara Lee Armstrong

One of three daughters born to Mary Beth and Kip Gilliland, Kara Lee Armstrong was known for her big smile and her bigger heart. With her easy-going, laid-back nature Kara drew people into her world, and she enjoyed an extensive network of friends with whom she worked, traveled, and made countless memories. Even more than her friends, Kara loved her family. A former teacher’s assistant, she delighted in working with children. When she became a mother, her daughter Hannah, and son Rayden, were the lights of her life and brought her endless joy. Kara’s dad describes his middle daughter as being quiet with a kind and generous spirit. Her sister recalls her being adventurous. She shares a story about riding horses bareback as children when Kara suddenly reached overhead and grabbed a tree branch where she swung as the horse kept going. Being outdoors and enjoying nature was a big part of Kara's life both as a child and an adult. Her mom remembers her as a “water baby,” saying that she enjoyed floating on her back in the pool from the time she was a toddler. Kara’s happy place was the beach, where she would spend hours laying out, getting sun on her back, and swimming in the waves. Her love of the ocean grew as she got older and became so great that she had a wave tattooed on her ankle. That tattoo became more symbolic when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. True to form, she faced her diagnosis with incredible courage and bravery, refusing to let this giant wave knock her down. She continued to live life on her terms, running 5Ks while undergoing treatment and spending as much time as possible with her children and those she loved. Each time a new wave crashed, she bravely swam, getting up again and again until Tuesday, February 28, when Kara passed away peacefully at the age of 41, surrounded by her family and friends.

Kara leaves behind her children, Hannah Grace (9) and Rayden Kip (11). She also leaves parents Mary Beth and Daniel Turner, Kip and Lisa Gilliland, sister Haley Beth Gilliland, Grandmother Mary Beth Caspary, step-sisters Megan and Madeline Huff, and nephew Cash Gilliland.

Grandfather Delo Caspary, grandparents Lukin and Ruth Gilliland, and sister Hannah Marie Gilliland preceded Kara in death.

Services will be held at St. Andrews United Methodist Church on Friday, March 3, at 11:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be Delo Caspary, Cass Caspary, Todd Caspary, Albert Riley, Lukin Gilliland, and John Gilliland. The family wishes to thank Drs. Joe Johnson and Scott Ulmer, as well as Summit La Familia Hospice, for their excellent care.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hannah Marie Gilliland Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund in Education at Baylor University at the following address:Baylor University One Bear Place #97026 Waco, Texas 76798